About me
I am a theoretical biologist who uses mathematics and computation to address fundamental biological questions. I am interested in the interplay between evolution and development, and in how this interplay has generated diversity in biological organization at different scales. Specific research topics include the origins of multicellular development, evolution in changing environments, and color pattern evo-devo (see recent publications below).
I am currently a postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology at Princeton University. I will move to Washington University in St. Louis as an Assistant Professor in summer 2026. My group will be recruiting at all levels and people from any background are encouraged to apply. Please get in touch if you are interested in joining the group!
Recent publications
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Direct benefits are not necessary for the evolution of multicellularity
Nature Ecology & Evolution (2026)
We show that direct benefits, when multicellular groups outperform single cells under the same conditions, are not required for the evolution of multicellularity. Multicellularity can be indirectly beneficial when groups differ in their spatial distribution from single cells, for example because groups adhere to a surface.
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Ecological principles for the evolution of communication in collective systems
Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 291: 20241562 (2024)
We derive ecological conditions for the evolution of communication in a collective context and show how diverse communication strategies used by social insects (e.g., honeybee waggle dance, trail pheromones, antennal contacts) can be explained theoretically as adaptations to different ecological circumstances.
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Development shapes the evolutionary diversification of rodent stripe patterns
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA 120 (45), e2312077120 (2023)
We systematically describe the diversity of rodent stripe patterns and show how it can be in part explained from simple developmental principles. We do so by using an integrated approach that combines recent molecular insights, pattern formation models, and phylogenetic analysis.
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